1-Year Accelerated Associate Degree Programs Online 2025

Furthering your education with an associate degree is a great way to improve your career options. Working adults may worry that they don't have the time, but many accelerated associate degree programs are available online. Keep reading to find out how you can earn an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degree without having to set foot on campus.

Can You Earn an Online Associate Degree in One Year?

Yes, you can earn an associate degree in one year through an accelerated program. Enrolling in a 1-year associate degree online is a flexible way to take another step towards your career goals, further your education, and even prepare to transfer into a bachelor's degree program.

Students interested in online learning must be organized, self-motivated, and focused. To qualify, you may need a high school diploma and a certain grade point average (GPA), but there are many areas of study that you can pursue.

What Is an Accelerated Online Associate Degree Program?

An accelerated online associate degree program is usually offered by community or junior colleges. Typically, full-time students take an overloaded schedule of more than 18 credit hours � although some may be structured differently. Your degree may give you enough college credits to transfer into a bachelor's program as a sophomore or junior.

Asynchronous classes allow online learners to work through the material on their schedule, while synchronous classes have set class times. The classes required for an associate degree vary based on your program, but most have general education requirements.

Fastest Online Associate Degrees

There are many options for affordable associate degrees online. Below are 10 fast online associate degree programs that take anywhere from 11 to 15 months.

1. Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College offers 15-month accelerated online programs in the following degree options:

• Associate of Arts
• Associate of Applied Business
• Associate of Applied Science

Concentrations include early childhood education, accounting, and forensics. Many programs are part of the Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathway, allowing graduates to transfer into certain Ohio bachelor's programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $164.03 per credit hour
• Program length: 15 months
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Milwaukee Area Technical College

Full-time students at Milwaukee Area Tech can complete their AA degrees entirely online in just five sessions. One session lasts between seven and eight weeks.

The program focuses on humanities courses and allows students to complete the first two years of coursework for many bachelor's degree programs. Transfer students should consider the program requirements for their specific four-year college or university.

• Estimated tuition cost: $175.90 per credit hour
• Program length: One year (five sessions)
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Truckee Meadows Community College

Earn your AA in business through Truckee Meadows' fast-track program. Full-time students take two five-week, fully online courses at a time to complete their degree in one year.

Graduates can easily transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno to begin their bachelor's program as a junior. Business specializations include business management, human resources, accounting, and many others.

• Estimated tuition cost: $179.38 per credit hour
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

4. Tidewater Community College

Tidewater offers three accelerated options, but only one is available 100% online: the Associate of Science in Business Administration. Coursework focuses on economics, statistics, public speaking, and more, preparing students for a range of career possibilities.

This degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year bachelor's program. Popular majors include information systems, public administration, economics, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $200.40 per credit hour
• Program length: 12 months
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

5. University of Massachusetts Lowell

University of Massachusetts (UMass) Lowell offers an AS in information technology (IT) that can be completed in as little as 12 months with transfer credits. Additionally, students can earn an IT certification to fulfill their elective credits and boost career readiness. All courses count towards UMass' bachelor's degree in IT, and financial aid is available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $385 per credit hour
• Program length: 12 months
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

6. DeVry University

Full-time students at DeVry can complete their degrees online in 12 to 16 months, provided they enroll in 12 to 18 credit hours per semester. Programs are available in business, healthcare, and technology fields, including cybersecurity, health information technology, and human resources specialization.

Accelerated programs take 16 months, but you can finish faster with transfer credits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $514 per credit hour
• Program length: 12 to 16 months
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Georgia Piedmont offers two accelerated online options for associate degrees: interdisciplinary studies with a management specialization and business management. The first program is 61 credit hours and the second is 64; both can be completed in just four semesters.

Graduates will be prepared to either transfer to a four-year university or begin entry-level work.

• Estimated tuition cost: $516 per credit hour
• Program length: One year (four semesters)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's ASAP (associate accelerated program) allows high school grads to earn their degree in 11 months, with various start dates. Students can pursue an AAS or AA degree.

Full-time classes are spread over five eight-week terms. Ivy Tech offers many more accelerated in-person programs, including computer science, pre-nursing, and special education.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,577.11 per semester
• Program length: 11 months
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Greenville Technical College

Students can complete their AA or AS degree in one year, enrolling in two seven-week terms in the Spring and Fall, and one 10-week summer semester. This full-time schedule allows students to complete their degree in half the time of most traditional programs. Because it involves taking over 18 credit hours, higher tuition rates may apply.

• Estimated tuition cost: $3,813 per semester
• Program length: One year (three semesters)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Salt Lake Tech Community College

Business students at Salt Lake Tech can earn their AS entirely online in about 14 months. The program includes 19 required courses split into six 10-week blocks. Students will move through the program with a cohort of peers, and graduates will be prepared to transfer to a four-year business bachelor's degree program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,500 total
• Program length: 14 months
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Types of Accelerated Associate Degrees Available Online

The most common accelerated associate degrees are either an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree. These programs are some of the easiest associate degrees to get and focus more on general education or liberal arts.

Other common programs include business, technology, criminal justice, or education. Earning your associate degree quickly can help you get a jump on a bachelor's or even master's degree program. And generally, a college degree leads to better career prospects and a higher earning potential.

FAQs About 1-Year Associate Degrees Online

If you still have questions about earning your associate degree fast, then take a look at our frequently asked questions below. We'll look more into timelines, costs, and transfer credits.

Can I Earn an Associate Degree in 6 Months?

You can earn an associate degree in 6 months, but there are many more options for one-year to two-year programs. An associate degree generally takes 60 credit hours, but completing general studies before beginning your program can help you finish faster.

How Much Does a 1-Year Online Associate Degree Cost?

Costs depend on your school, the program, and any financial aid you may receive. The cheapest school on our list is Lorain County Community College at $164 per credit hour. As with any program, it's important to consider associate degrees that pay well and how your future salary can help pay off your education.

Can I Transfer Credits from Another School?

Yes, you can transfer credits from another school to help finish your associate degree faster. Request information from your school's admissions office for specifics. Many grads also transfer into a bachelor's degree program after completing their associate degree. This allows them to finish that program faster as well.

Choose an Online Associate Degree

You don't have to attend in-person classes to improve your career prospects. Many schools offer high-quality, accelerated online programs. Take a look at more of the schools featured on Learn.org and contact them to discuss how quickly you can earn your degree.